Well flowing apparatus



vAngus,1938. TEBRYAN f 2,128,074l

WELL FLQWING APPARATUS l A 'Filed April 2O', 1956 V v2 Sheets-Sheet l Thomas E.' Bryan.

INVEIIITOR.

ad A

A OREYS.

Aug. 23, 1938. E, BRYAN 2,128,074

` WELL FLOWING APPARATUS Filed April 20, 193e 2 sheetsneetz Thomas E. Bryan.

INVENTOR.

AOR'NEYS.

Patented l/ug. r23, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WELL FLOWING APPARATUS Thomas E. Bryan, Oklahoma City, Okla. Application April 20, 1936, Serial No. 75,265

6 Claims.

Thisinvention relates to valves for use in oil y wells or the like, adapted to control the admission gas or air under pressure into a column of oil or A other fluid within a wellso as to aerate the fluid and ,make it possible for the natural pressure existing at the bottom of the well to force the lightened fluid from the top of the well. The admission of this gas or air has been effected in the past by providing the well with an outer casing and an inner tubing, flowing the well through the tubing or through the space between the tubing and the casing, and forcing into the well through the space that is not being used for flowing the well a supply of gas or air under pressure. Valve means have been provided at various intervals in the wallof the tubing so as to admit the gas or air from the tubing into the casing or vice versa.

These have for the most part been controlled by the relative pressures of the column of fluid standing in the well and the pressure of the gas injected into the well.

More recently, certain types of valves have been developed for controlling the admission of' gas or air into a column of fluid, which valves are controlled by the velocity or by the flow of fluid in an upward direction. In this type of valve, the valve is normally opened to'permit gas to pass into the fluid column when the fluid is not in motion. However, as soon as the fluid begins to flow, the velocity of the fluid is utilized to cause a closing of the valve and thus to prevent the admission of any more gas or air into the fluid column until vthe flow stops. i

It is an object of this invention to provide a valve of the latter type which is of greatly simplifled construction, as compared with valves of the same general type heretofore used.

It is a further object of this invention to proa device which will perform the functions stated and will, in addition, serve as a check valve to prevent downward flow of the column of fluid.

One other object of this invention is to provide such a structure with a check valve which will automatically seat in its proper position at all times that there is no fluid flow.

With the above and other objects in view, this invention contemplates a structure including -the various partsand combinations illustrated in the 5 accompanying drawings and set forth in the following description, it being understood, however, that the accompanying drawings and the following description are by way of illustration and example only and are not tobe taken as in any way 10 limiting the object or scope of this invention. Such limitation is to be only by the prior art and by the terms of the appended claims.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings inwhich like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout:

Fig. 1 is a view in vertical cross section illustrating the application of valves constructed in accordance with this invention to an oil well or the like.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal cross section through a section of tubing having one of these valves installed therein, this section being taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view similar to a portion of Fig. 1 but illustrating one of the valves partly in section.

Fig. 4 vis a greatly enlarged view illustrating the details ofconstruction and operation: of one of these valves. 30

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating a slightly modied form of construction and represents a section taken along the line 5-'5 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig.y 3 but illustrating the modification shown in Fig. 5 with the valve in position to admit gas into the fluid column.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showing the valve in the position it occupies when the fluid column within the well is in motion. 40

. Referring now more in detail to th'e form illus- .trated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, Fig. l illustrates the application ofthe valve in which a casing I is lowered into the well hole through the formation Z, and the tubing 3.is then placed within the 4' casing I. At `spaced intervals, usually in the neighborhood of 200 feet or so, there is inserted into this tubing a section having a partition 4 secured therein in a transverse position by'any suitable means such as by welding 5. This partition is provided with an opening 6 therethrough having a tapered substantially conical valve seat 'l` adiacent `the upper face of the partition. At a point just above the partition and spaced laterally with respect to the opening 6 is a hollow 55 shaft 8 extending transversely of the tubing and through the tubing walls at its opposite ends. This shaft is secured in position by means such as welding 9. At spaced points on this shaft are provided a pair of thrust collars I0 and Il, between which is positioned a valve sleeve I2 surrounding the shaft 8 and having a laterally extending arm I3 integral therewith. Secured to the underside of the arm I3 in such a position as to seat against the valve seat 1 and close'the opening 6 is a valve I4 having a tapered substantially conical'seat portion I5.

The shaft 8v which communicates at its opposite end with the exterior of the tubing 3 is formed' with an opening I6 in its upper side at a point intermediate the thrust collars I0 and II. Formed in the sleeve I2 is a corresponding opening I1 adapted to register with the opening I6 when the valve member I4 is seated against the seat 1. This opening I1 is slightly elongated so as to register at all times regardless of any slight end-wise movement of the sleeve I2. In order to insure against the valve member I4 being swung upwardlyA to such a point that it would rest against the wall of the tubing 3 and not fall back into its seated position, there may be provided any suitable stop or other means such as the pin I8 which is shown as being positioned on top of the arm I3. This pin as illustrated will stop the swinging movement of the valve I4 in such a position that the force of gravity will tend to pull the valve back into its closed position.

In Figs. 5, 6 and '1 there is illustrated a slightly modified form of construction. In this instance, the partition 4 is replaced with a similar partition I9 which does not, however, include the substantially conical valve seat at the upper end of sphericai valve member 26. This lug 25 is pivotally secured in place by mea-ns of a pin 21 passing through the ears 23 and 24. Because of.'Y

its hemspherical formation, the valve 26 will seat against and close the opening 2|. adjusting itself automatically to any minor irregularities` in the positioning of the opening 2|, or in the swinging of the arm 22. A stop 28 or similar means may be provided so that when the valve is forced upwardiyby a flow of fluid as hereinbefore described. it will not be swung entirely over to a position which will prevent it from seating when it is moved downwardly again. The arm 22 is provided with an opening 29 similar to the opening I1 in the sleeve I2 and for the same purpose.

In operation, a plurality of valves are positioned in a well in spaced relation as above set forth. The tubing 3 is adapted to provide a passage through its interior 38 for the flow of fluid from the well. The space 3| between the tubing and the casing I is adapted to receive air or gas under pressure. So long as the pressure of the formation which is producing the fluid is sufficient to cause it to flow through the tubing 3 to the surface of the ground without anyoutside assistance, the valves I4 or 26, as the case may be, will be held open. Underbthese circumstances, the openings I 8 and` I1 in the one form, and I6 and 29 in the other form, will be out of register so that there will be no flow of gas from the space 3I through the hollow shaft 8 and into the tubing 3.

When the pressure in the formation falls to al point'where it is insufficient to raise the column of fluid within the space 30, the valves I4 or. 26 will be moved by gravity, or by a. slight downward motion of the fluid into seating engagement with the openings formed through the partitions 4 or I9, These valves thus serve as check valves to prevent downward motion of the fluid within the tubing. When the valves I4 orl 26 are in closed position, however, the openings Iii and I1, or I6 and 29, will come into register. It will then be possible for the air or gas under pressure within the space 3i to flow inwardly through the hollow shaft 8 and through the openings I6 and I1 or IB and 29 into the space 30 within the tubing. The gas thus entering the tubing will be dispersed into the fluid standing in the tubing, and will serve to lighten this fluid because of its introduction to such an extent that the pressure within the well formation will be suillcient to lift the fluid column in its lightened condition. The well will then begin to flow again, andthe valve I4 or 26 will be opened to shut off the flow of gas until the well stops flowing.

It will be noted that in using a plurality of these valves within a well, the static pressure of the column of fluid within the space 30 is less at the position of the uppermost valve and gradually increases until it is greatest at the position of the lowermost valve. -This being the case, the gas will ilrst be introduced into the tubing through the uppermost valve, and if this is insuflcient to start the flow of fluid, the gas will be introduced at the next lowest valve, and so on down to the ,position of the lowest valve. Thus, it is possible to aerate the entire column of fluid above the lowest valve when this becomes necessary to lighten the column sufllciently so that the pressure in the well formation will cause it to rise.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that there has been provided by this invention an extremely simple form of valve for getting air or gas pressure into a tubing to cause the flow of a column of fluid therein. It will also be appreciated that the valve thus provided is governed entirely by the flow of the fluid as distinguished from the pressure of the fluid within the tubing space 30. In addition to its function as a valve for admitting or excluding air or gas under pressure to or from the tubing, the invention set forth provides at each position of such a valve a check valve for preventing the downward flow of the column of fluid within the well. 'I'his check valve is in each case positive in its action and capable of performing all of the functions ordinarily performed by a check valve.

.Having described my invention, I claim:

l. In combination with a well tubing having an opening through a wall thereof to admit gas under pressure thereto, a rotatable sleeve valve for controlling said opening, and means connected to said sleeve valve and located in the path of a fluid passing through said tubing for rotating said valve to close said opening upon upward movement of such fluid and for rotating said valve to open the same upon cessation of such upward movement.

2. In combination with a well tubing, a partition extending transversely of said tubing and having an opening'therethrough, a hollow shaft extending transversely of said tubing above said partition and having its interior in communication with the exterior of said tubing, an arm rotatably mounted on said shaft, and valve means on said arm adapted to close said opening in said partition and movable away from said opening upon upward motion of a fluid through said tubing, said hollow shaft having a lateral opening therein, and said arm having a part thereon movable to close said lateral opening when said valve means is moved away from the opening in said partition.

3. In combination with a well tubing, a partition extending transversely o! said tubing and having an opening therethrough, a hollow. shaft extending transversely of said tubing above said partition and having its interior in communication with the exterior of said tubing, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said shaft and having a laterally extending arm thereon, and a valve member on said arm swingable about said hollow shaft -to close or open the passage through said partition, said hollow shaft and sleeve having openings therein adapted to register when said valve member is in position to close said passage` 'through the partition and adapted to move out of register when said valve member is moved to g open said passage. l

4. In combination with a well tubing, means on upward movement of a fluid in said tubing, said hollow shaft having a lateral port therein, and means on said arm adapted to close said port upon movement of said valve member from said valve seat.

5. In combination with a well tubing, means therein providing a restriction presenting an n upwardly facing shoulder, a hollow shaft above said means having its interior in communication with the exterior of said tubing, an arm rotatably mounted on said shaft, a valve member pivotally mounted on said arm and having a portion adapted to cooperate with said shoulder to close said tubing and movable from said shoulderv on upward movement of a fluid in said tubing, said hollow shaft having a lateral port therein, and means on said arm adapted to close said port upon movement of said valve member from said shoulder.

6. In combination with a well tubing, means therein providing a restriction presenting an upwardly facing shoulder, a hollow shaft above said means having its interior in communication with the exterior of said tubing, an arm rotatably mounted on said shaft. a valve member pivotally mounted on said arm and having a hemispherical portion adapted to cooperate with said shoulder to close said tubing and movable from said shoulder on upward movement of a iluid in sai tubing, said hollow shaft having a lateral po t therein, and means on said arm adapted to close said port upon movement of said valve member from said shoulder.

THQMAS E. BRYAN. 

